MIRI: The state Public Works Department (JKR) has been urged to beef up its efforts in resolving the about 60 sick projects within the coming three years from now.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said this is his hope and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s expectation.
“I am very confident we all can accomplish this but we must beef up our efforts.
“We can always discuss how we can speed up the process, as the people (rakyat) have high expectations too,” he added.
Uggah who is the Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development said this when delivering his keynote address at the department senior officers conference here yesterday.
He said about 30 to 40 of these projects were in very critical condition.
“Rescue contractors can manage at least 20 of them.
“Others can be saved through the Variation of Price (VOP) clause,” he said.
Uggah said one of the issues that caused the sick project was in the selection of the contractors. Thus, it is crucial to get the right and reputable contractors.
“In this regard, there is the suggestion that there should be a seminar to discuss how we can have a mechanism for JKR to get such contractors to implement our projects.
“Then we can relook at the process, the approach that we can take. The sole objective is to put an end to occurrences of sick projects.
“Our Premier too wants us to have this seminar. I hope we can organise this before the end of the year,” he added.
Meanwhile, Uggah again reminded the department that in the implementation of the state Post Covid 19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), it played a very crucial role in infrastructure development.
He said this is one of the pillars of the strategy.
“Infrastructure development is still an issue to be addressed for Sarawak to be a developed and high income state by 2030.”
Uggah further said Sarawak still needed over 7,000 kilometers of road to connect every village or settlements from Lundu to Limbang. At the same time it needs to upgrade over 4,000 kilometers.
“Looking at the costs involved, it is very scary. But these are the targets we need to look at and to implement by 2030.”
He also said being accountable and having high integrity was another challenge for the department.
On another issue, Uggah suggested that JKR explored and studied the many modern technologies in road and bridge construction and in monitoring systems which it could adopt for greater efficiency in delivering.
“The drone technology is another one worth considering,”
At the conference, he hoped JKR would do the SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to enhance its performance especially pertaining to sick projects.
He said there should be minimal foot dragging in decisions, plans and promises made and in actions to be taken.
A total of 151 officers attended the three- day conference which will end tomorrow.
